LAWRIE McMenemy has warned Saints fans not to expect an easy ride in League One next season.

Despite missing out on the play-offs, there is already optimism about how the club can do when the new campaign gets underway in August.

Alan Pardew’s side, who will finish the season in seventh place if they beat relegated Southend at St Mary’s this weekend, are expected to be red-hot favourites to gain automatic promotion to the Championship.

McMenemy believes they are in good shape, as they ride a wave of momentum from a strong season –Saints have won 20 of their last 35 League One outings after winning just one of their first 10 – and a Johnstone’s Paint Trophy victory.

But he is also urging people not to get carried away too easily and to stick with the team in any rocky patches they hit in 2010/11.

“The atmosphere at Wembley (for the JPT) was fabulous and it helped the team,” said McMenemy.

“But the team helped them as well to give them that good feeling, which has carried on with the league performances.

“The league crowds are well up for the level we’re at and everything looks positive.

“My word of warning is that anybody who expects to win every game should remember we’ve got three teams (Sheffield Wednesday, Plymouth and Peterborough) coming down who are used to higher level football.

“Possibly their managers will stay with them, which makes it different to when Alan came.

“Other teams who nearly made it, or get beaten in the play-offs, will still be there, and we’ll need all the support again.

“Even if you lose the odd game, it needs the support of everybody, from the boardroom down right through the dressing room.”